9 ways to save energy at home
Saving energy is now easier with these tips from UNICEF and Austrian Development Agency
- Հայերեն
- English
Hang your clothes instead of using a tumble dry
A standard clothes dryer consumes as much energy per year as an energy-efficient refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher combined. Line drying saves money and promotes energy conservation. It also enhances freshness removing strong odors and it is gentle on clothing. One small step in making a difference!
Top 10 Reasons To Line Dry Laundry
Use your laptop more than your desktop
Laptops use an average of 20 to 50 watts of electricity to run, whereas desktop computers use an average of 60 to 200 watts of electricity to run. The reason for this is that laptops run off of battery power and desktops are continuously plugged into a power source that drains energy.
Make sure to unplug your laptop and docking station from the power source once it's fully charged. Not only does this help reduce your energy usage, but it also optimizes your laptop's battery life to last longer.
Learn more about the Laptop vs. Desktop Debate
Switch off your power strip before you leave
You can save energy and money when you remember to turn off your power strips when not in use!
Phantom load or Vampire Power is the electricity drawn from outlets when equipment is off or on sleep mode but still plugged in. Many types of electronics and office equipment, including computers, printers, and phone chargers continue to draw electricity even when they are on sleep mode.
Phantom load can account for up to 15% of the electricity used by equipment and appliances!
Always unplug electronics and appliances when not in use. You can make this task easier by using outlet/power strips, which can turn everything off with the flip of a switch. To help you remember, put the power strip in easy-to-reach locations.
Switch to LED bulbs
Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights last longer than incandescent or halogen bulbs. They are energy efficient, very durable, and save you money. Replace your inefficient lights with LEDs, because it’s also 2020. Don’t forget to dispose of the old lights properly! Learn more about disposing of light bulbs responsibly
Consider switching to a renewable energy provider and using energy-efficient appliances
Look for providers that use renewable energy sources and sustainable, ethical practices. Switching to energy-efficient appliances and equipment in just the top 6 product sectors has the potential to reduce global electricity use by 10%.
Charge your phone in airplane mode and before bedtime
While charging, switch your phone to airplane mode, so that the phone does not slow down the charging process by continually burning energy trying to connect with cell phone towers and plot your location with its GPS function. When you switch to airplane mode your phone charges more quickly.
The brighter the screen setting, the more power it uses and vibration uses more energy than a ringtone. Low Power Mode also saves battery life, therefore less energy consumption. And remember -unplug your charger if not in use! Tips For Saving Energy With Your Mobile Phone.
Unplug mobile phone and laptop chargers
Always unplug electronics and appliances when not in use. Unplugging will save you energy, money, and can prevent electrical fires. When the power strip is left on, the devices plugged into it continue to use energy and actually increase your energy usage.
The Northern Resources Defense Council found that devices in sleep or standby mode account for about one-quarter of all residential energy consumption. Learn more about where chargers pull their power from.
Delete unwanted files from cloud storage
Reduce your carbon footprint by organizing your files and eliminating unnecessary data from cloud storage! Companies offering cloud data storage need warehouses filled with servers running nonstop. These data centers consume massive amounts of energy since they require AC systems to avoid overheating. Learn more about the environmental threat posed by data centers.
Delete old emails
78% of all incoming emails are spam, requiring 33 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and causing 20 million tonnes of CO2e per year. If every single person in France deleted 50 emails, the energy savings would be equivalent to turning off the Eiffel Tower's lights for 42 years. By cleaning out your inbox, you can save electricity and reduce carbon emissions without even leaving your desk!
Let's go green and save water, paper and energy, let's use less plastic and improve air quality. It's possible.
